Top Five Reasons to Do Carry-On Bags Only on Your Disney World Vacation
If you're wondering if it's possible to fly to Walt Disney World with carry-on luggage only, the answer is yes. We share the top five benefits of doing carry-on only and how it's easy to pack for a week's vacation with carry-on only.
Ever since Covid hit in 2020 and bag check became a universal nightmare at airports around the globe, we have never checked a bag again.
We travel to Walt Disney World and Disneyland at least three times each year, plus we have had European vacations and more during this time and have not checked a single bag.
For most airlines, you are allowed one free carry-on bag, plus one additional bag – like a backpack. This is an important part of the carry-on packing strategy, since the backpack can be a fallback for additional items that may not fit neatly into your carry-on.
Five Reasons Why Should Only Do Carry-On on Your Disney Vacation
1. Saves You Money
The first and easiest reason is that it typically saves you money when you go with carry-on bags only. Carry-on is less costly (usually free), so the savings increase with the size of your group. Airlines may soon charge for carry-on baggage, but for the time being, it’s usually going to save you money on checked baggage fees if you go with carry-on bags only.
2. Forces You to Pack Light
Overpacking is one of the worst habits of many travelers, and Disney travelers in particular can ten to overpack on Disney outfits. Remember, five to seven outfits is plenty. Even less if you will typically wear only two pairs of shorts for the week (for men at least). Shoes is also one of the biggest issues travelers have. I pack only one pair (and one pair of flip flops for pool time, but those are flat and don’t take up much room). So if you are a shoe person, try to limit yourself to two pairs maximum,
3. Faster to Get out of the Airport at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
When you land in Orlando, everyone is usually itching to get out of the airport and get to Walt Disney World as quickly as possible. The carry-on strategy is your biggest friend here as you will get to walk right by the crowds hovering around the baggage carousels waiting (im)patiently for their bags to arrive. If you go with carry-on baggage only, you can skip this time sucker altogether and be out of the airport and on your way to WDW an hour faster.
4. Easier to Maneuver at the Airport, Hotel and Everywhere
Carry-on bags are smaller, lighter and easier to maneuver. So you will really enjoy the convenience at the airport, on your transportation, at the hotel and anywhere you need to lug your bags around. If you are going with a split-stay strategy (two or more hotels on your vacation), then carry-on bags is even better. First, you won’t have as much to repack (since you have a smaller bag in the first place) and second, switch hotels is so much easier when you only have small, light luggage to move.
5. You’ll Have More Room in Your Room
With carry-on bags, you’ll find that you have more room in your hotel room. The small bags can make a huge difference in how much space is tied up by luggage. You’ll find you’re not tripping over bags or having to give up valuable room space to full size suitcases. Even with only two or three people, having only carry-on suitcases to deal with makes a big difference. So enjoy your extra space!
Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Style Podcast
Thank you very much for listening to this episode, we that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.
Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.
Contact 1923 Main Street
Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel Style Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com.
Shop unique and original Disney-inspired clothing, including t-shirts, sweatshirt, hoodies, yoga leggings, dresses, swimwear and more at 1923 Main Street.
Follow along on X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
Thank you for listening and have a magical day!
Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic
--
Media provided by Jamendo
Ever since Covid hit in 2020 and bag check became a universal nightmare at airports around the globe, we have never checked a bag again.
We travel to Walt Disney World and Disneyland at least three times each year, plus we have had European vacations and more during this time and have not checked a single bag.
For most airlines, you are allowed one free carry-on bag, plus one additional bag – like a backpack. This is an important part of the carry-on packing strategy, since the backpack can be a fallback for additional items that may not fit neatly into your carry-on.
Five Reasons Why Should Only Do Carry-On on Your Disney Vacation
1. Saves You Money
The first and easiest reason is that it typically saves you money when you go with carry-on bags only. Carry-on is less costly (usually free), so the savings increase with the size of your group. Airlines may soon charge for carry-on baggage, but for the time being, it’s usually going to save you money on checked baggage fees if you go with carry-on bags only.
2. Forces You to Pack Light
Overpacking is one of the worst habits of many travelers, and Disney travelers in particular can ten to overpack on Disney outfits. Remember, five to seven outfits is plenty. Even less if you will typically wear only two pairs of shorts for the week (for men at least). Shoes is also one of the biggest issues travelers have. I pack only one pair (and one pair of flip flops for pool time, but those are flat and don’t take up much room). So if you are a shoe person, try to limit yourself to two pairs maximum,
3. Faster to Get out of the Airport at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
When you land in Orlando, everyone is usually itching to get out of the airport and get to Walt Disney World as quickly as possible. The carry-on strategy is your biggest friend here as you will get to walk right by the crowds hovering around the baggage carousels waiting (im)patiently for their bags to arrive. If you go with carry-on baggage only, you can skip this time sucker altogether and be out of the airport and on your way to WDW an hour faster.
4. Easier to Maneuver at the Airport, Hotel and Everywhere
Carry-on bags are smaller, lighter and easier to maneuver. So you will really enjoy the convenience at the airport, on your transportation, at the hotel and anywhere you need to lug your bags around. If you are going with a split-stay strategy (two or more hotels on your vacation), then carry-on bags is even better. First, you won’t have as much to repack (since you have a smaller bag in the first place) and second, switch hotels is so much easier when you only have small, light luggage to move.
5. You’ll Have More Room in Your Room
With carry-on bags, you’ll find that you have more room in your hotel room. The small bags can make a huge difference in how much space is tied up by luggage. You’ll find you’re not tripping over bags or having to give up valuable room space to full size suitcases. Even with only two or three people, having only carry-on suitcases to deal with makes a big difference. So enjoy your extra space!
Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Style Podcast
Thank you very much for listening to this episode, we that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.
Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.
Contact 1923 Main Street
Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel Style Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com.
Shop unique and original Disney-inspired clothing, including t-shirts, sweatshirt, hoodies, yoga leggings, dresses, swimwear and more at 1923 Main Street.
Follow along on X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
Thank you for listening and have a magical day!
Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic
--
Media provided by Jamendo
Creators and Guests
Host
Mike Belobradic
Mike Belobradic is the creator and co-host of the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com and a longtime expert on Disney travel.
